THE ALPHA'S DESTINY (THE PROPHECY)

CHAPTER 10: FINE A$$ B*TCH

HAZEL'S POV

Today is the day; the day Gerard is coming over.

I was so nervous.

I was pacing back and forth.

What do you say to a guy who sleeps with you and then forgets about it the next day?

I don't know, I sighed to myself.

Maybe I was just bad at s*x!

Maybe I was just unforgettable!

Ahh! This is so frustrating.

I needed to get a grip on myself.

I was interrupted from my chain of thoughts by the ringing of my phone.

Ring*Ring*Ring*

I looked at the caller ID and smiled.

"Hello Gabz," I greeted my bestie.

"Hey babe, how are you holding up?"

"I'm super nervous," I told her truthfully.

"There's nothing to be nervous about. My brother is the one who should be nervous. Remember, you're smart, beautiful and you look like a s*x goddess!" She tried to boost my confidence.

"Thank you Gabz, you always know what to say to make me feel better even though what you say sometimes ain't true."

"When have I ever lied to you?" She asked me. I could hear the hurt in her voice.

"Just now on the phone when you said I look like a s*x goddess."

"You know it amazes me that someone who looks like you doesn't even realise how gorgeous and sexy they are. Hazel, you literally stop traffic when we go out! I'm telling you. You got the magic girl!"

"You think so, Gabz?" I questioned.

People tell me I'm beautiful all the time, but I just thought they were being polite since most of them were business associates of Aunty and Uncle.

Maybe I just needed to go out more.

"Listen Haze, you are a FINE ASS b***h. Now say it!"

"What?"

"Say you're a fine ass bitch."

"I'm a fine ass - bitch."

"Say it like you mean it!" My crazy friend said.

"I am a fine ass bitch."

"LOUDER b***h!"

This girl was going to get me into big trouble one of these days. I decided to put some pep in my step.

"I AM A f*****g FINEEE ASS b***h!" I screamed on the phone.

"HAZEL!" I was startled by Aunty Jules' angry voice.

I was so surprised that I threw the phone to the corner of the room.

"Aunty, what are you doing here?"

I was in deep s**t. Her face looked serious - but she always looked serious. Maybe she didn't hear me.

"I just don't know what to do with you young lady. We tried to raise you to be a proper woman and a proper Christian and what do we get in return? A young woman who refers to herself as the 'B' word."

This woman was so proper she couldn't even say the word b***h.

I held my head down in shame. "Aunty I'm sorry."

I felt like I've been apologising a lot lately.

She ran her hands to smooth out her skirt suit.

I didn't know what she's smoothing out though because from where I was sitting, she looked perfect.

She came and sat on the edge of my bed and crossed her legs.

She sighed! "Where did we go wrong?"

Her question confused me.

"What do you mean, Aunty?"

"It seems you're rebelling against us. You go out and get tattoos, I mean they're small and not that visible, but still - " She shook her head and exhaled.

"Aunty I'm sorry you guys feel that way but each of my tattoos means something to me. The one on my wrist is Dad's name, the one below my left rib is Mom's name, and the butterfly behind my ears represents my transformation. I was once a broken child and now I'm gaining confidence as the days go by," I told her.

"I still don't understand."

"You don't have to understand Aunty. I just need your love, guidance and support."

She sighed and kiss me on the cheeks. Then her eyebrows lowered like she was thinking about something else.

"So what does your n****e rings mean to you?"

Oh! s**t! I didn't know she knew about those.

"Ahh, hmmm - how -" I was stuttering like a fool.

"Don't think we haven't noticed them outlined under a few of your outfits," She confessed as she raised her eyebrows.

"WAIT! Uncle knows about my n****e piercings?" I asked with a traumatised look on my face.

"Yes, he does."

Lord. Just. Kill. Me. Now!

My aunty was now giggling at my expression - Even her damn giggle comes out sophisticated.

I was blushing like a bride.

"Don't worry about it, I was young once and had a few piercings myself," She shifted on the bed.

To say I was shocked was an understatement.

"You did?"

"Yes, I did, but when I gave my life to the Lord, I got rid of them."

"So where did you have them?" I was curious.

I thought she would not answer. We never had personal conversations like this in the past.

It felt nice.

She cleared her throat. "Well, I had my ears pierced twice."

My eyes went up to her ear, but I couldn't see any marks signifying it was pierced.

She caught on and then she spoke. "Because I'm dark skinned, the mark is barely visible," I nodded my head in understanding as she continued.

"I had my belly button pierced, and I also had my n*****s pierced!"

"No way!"

"Yes, way," she replied. She had a bright and beautiful smile on her face.

I admired her timeless beauty.

Her shiny and dark chocolate skin, big brown eyes and full appealing lips. She was a work of art.

She had shoulder-length Afro that she kept in a bun always. I wish she would wear it loose sometimes because her hair is gorgeous.

Uncle Abe told me he fell in love with her the moment she walked into church twenty years ago.

They would have made beautiful babies, but for some unknown reason, they never had any.

But I loved the fact that when going out publicly people assume that I am their daughter since I'm mixed.

People say I look like her. I guess I do since she's my mom's sister, and I am my mom's doppelgänger.

I smiled a little knowing that my parents live on through my existence.

"And lastly, " her voice broke me out of my trance. "I had my - my c******s pierced!" She cleared her throat.

I didn't know whether to be more shocked at the matter she had her c**t pierced or to the fact that she said the word c******s.

"No f*****g way," I immediately put one hand over my mouth after my outburst.

Aunty swatted my arm. "Hazel - Language!" But I could identify from her smile she was blushing.

We started laughing like teen girls at a sleepover. We both heard a laugh like it was coming from a speaker.

My aunt's eyes jerked to the side of the room and landed on my phone.

GABZ! She was still on the phone when I threw it.

Aunt went and retrieved it from the floor. She then placed the call on speaker. Gabz was laughing vociferously.

"Hello, Gabrielle. I'm glad you found our conversation amusing."

"Oh yes, Mrs Campbell. Quite so," Gabz hollered.

"You know I condemn you for Hazel's behaviour," My aunt declared playfully.

"And I accept full responsibility as her influencer," Gabz let out just as playfully.

"Anyway I'm glad you're on the phone, so I can tell both of you this at the same time."

"Ok," both Gabz and I responded.

My aunt brought me my phone and then took a seat on the edge of my bed.

She lightly ran a palm over my cheeks.

"Hazel I know you're still apprehensive about crowds and encountering new people so -," she took out a small envelope from her handbag.

"What is it?" I inquired.

"What is what?" Gabz asked. I switch our call to video.

"That's better," Gabz exhaled.

"Open it," Aunty said as she settled the envelope in my hands.

I opened it.

It was a deed to a house in a place called Wolf's Pond, Toronto.

I stared at her. "You guys got me a house?"

Gabz eyes opened wide. "Wow! Mrs C! That's awesome! Do you guys want to adopt me?"

Aunty laughed. "No Gabrielle, we're already raising one delinquent. We don't need another."

Gabz made a funny pouty face.

Aunty cleared her throat and took my hand in hers. "No sweetheart, the house is a gift from your mother."

"My mother?"

"Yes. It belonged to her, and she prepared it so the deed transferred to your name on your eighteenth birthday."

I inspected the document and I saw my mother's name, Lucinda Valentine.

I noticed the date when she signed the document of transfer.

October 21st, 2001. Ten days before I was born.

I had so many queries, but I was too overwhelmed with emotions to request them now.

I didn't even realise I was weeping until I heard Gabz say, "Haze please stop crying because I'm not there to hug you." I sniffled and felt my aunt's arms around me.

She, too, was sobbing.

"Okay enough of this," Aunt proclaimed with a chuckle as she yanked away from our hug.

"Now Wolf's Pond is merely a twenty-minute commute from the University of Toronto. So, you girls can live there instead of the dormitories."

I nodded my head in relief. I could have my privacy. I was dreading life in the dorms.

"That sounds great, aunty."

"Now it's a six-bedroom place and I don't want to be here two million miles away and worrying about you both. So Gabby, I spoke to your parents and had them ask your brother if he'd like to move in with you ladies."

What! This is not happening.

"Mrs C, we can take care of ourselves. We don't need my brother hovering over us. In fact, I was going to pretend that I don't know him at school this Fall." Gabz was pissed.

I was frozen in dismay.

I couldn't speak.

"I expected you girls to be happy. If I recalled you all were like three peas in a pod," Aunty spoke.

Yeah, until he took my virginity and shredded my heart.

"Well, you girls need not worry as yet. He hasn't agreed to anything, he told his parents that it's up to Hazel."

"Up to me?" I spoke.

"Yes sweetheart, he said, he doesn't want to impose, since it's your house."

"Ok," I responded nonchalantly.

"I hope you girls behave yourselves when you get to Toronto!" She warned and left the room.

I zoned out for a bit.

"Haze? You there?"

"Yes, I am."

"Are you ok?"

"How can I live with Gerry after what he did?"

"You don't have to, as he stated, it's your house. Speaking of Gerry, he took off around twenty minutes ago, so he'll be there soon."

Shit!

"What shall I wear?"

"Something that will show my brother what he lost; something hot and seductive."

"I know just the outfit."

"Snap me a pic when you're ready."

"I will. Later Gabz."

"Later, and remember you're a fine ass bitch."

Yes!

Yes, I am, I thought to myself.

Now it's time to get hot.

I chose a sexy animal print dress. I appreciated the way it hugged my curves.

I was sitting on the edge of the stairs waiting for Gerry to arrive.

I had a maid snap a picture of me and I sent it to Gabz.

"Sweet pea, you look beautiful!"

I glanced up and saw my uncle's beaming face peering down on me with his almond-shaped eyes. They were a dazzling shade of grey.

"Thank you, uncle Abe."

He ran a hand over his black hair with a touch of silver at the sides. "Do you have a date or something?

"No! Gerry is coming over!" I blurted out.

"I see," Uncle raised one eyebrow in amusement. Even at his mature age of fifty-two, he was still a handsome man. Gabz' little nickname for him is the sexy-silver-fox. Uncle always tried to shelter his blush whenever Gabz would address him by her name for him. As for aunty, she found it inappropriate.

"It's not like that, we're Just acquaintances."

Why did I just say that?

I sounded guilty of something.

"I did not say a single word about your - umm - relationship status," Uncle laughed. "But sweet pea, I'm glad both Gerry and Gabby have you as a friend, especially now."

"What do you mean?"

"You know since the family is in debt."

"Debt? Are you sure?" I was mortified.

"Yes, I'm certain. I thought Gabby told you."

I shook my head. "No, she didn't."

Why wouldn't she tell me? I'm her best friend.

I assumed we told each other everything.

Uncle's eyes soften. He threw an arm over my shoulders and escorted me to the couch.

"Sit," he instructed, and I obliged.

"The Smiths have been in debt for approximately two years."

"Two years?" I was beyond shock at this revelation.

"Yes, when Ellen got sick, insurance only covered a fraction of her treatments. So, Genevieve and Barry took out a second mortgage on their house to help pay for Ellen's treatments."

"I can't believe Gabz didn't inform me."

"She perhaps didn't want you to worry."

"She should have told me!"

"Your Aunt and I sought to assist them in paying off the Mortgage, but the Smiths are proud people, so they refused."

"How did you guys find out?"

"Your aunt was in the supermarket one day and saw Genevieve at the cashier and when she tried to pay for her items all her cards were declined. Julia tried to pay for the items, but she refused. Julia later saw her crying in the parking lot and that's when she told her everything."

A tear fell from my eye and Uncle caught it with his finger.

"It's a good thing your Mom left you that house, it saved Gabby from deferring from college."

"Why? I thought she had a scholarship?"

"About that," Uncle creased his forehead and sighed. "I'm the one who paid for her tuition and made it look like she won a scholarship. I had to make it seemed legit too, as her GPA is only 3.3. Her parents were supposed to pay for boarding fees. But I didn't know the extent of their debt until Gabby told me a few weeks ago that her parents couldn't afford the boarding instalment and that you would go to Toronto alone. She wanted to let me know that you are strong and brave, so I shouldn't worry about you when you go off to college. She said you'd be fine."

Oh, Gabz.

"What about Gerry?"

"Gerry got a full scholarship that covered everything, but they found alcohol in his room, and he almost lost it. But luckily, he still maintained a 4.0 GPA, so they kept him in school, but they banned him from the dorms. He has been searching for a place, but he says everything there is so expensive and out of his budget."

"Oh wow. I didn't know. I need to call Gabz."

"Sweet Pea, you know Gabby better than anyone. She didn't mention this to you because she knew you'd offer her money and just like her family all she has left are her pride and dignity. If you inform her you know, you will take those things away from her. But it's up to you if you want to say something to her."

I thought about what Uncle said and he is right.

"I'm just glad it all worked out."

"Yes God works in mysterious ways."

Uncle kissed me on my cheek and went into his study.

Where the hell is Gerry? I have been waiting here for an hour.

Gabz texted me saying I looked hot, but I didn't feel like texting her back right now.

I was still a little hurt about her keeping something so big from me.

But as Uncle sometimes say we have to respect people's privacy even if said people are our closest and dearest friends.

I waited for another half an hour, but he still was a no show.

Another half an hour passed and still no Gerry!

Why do I keep letting him do this to me?

I went into my room and jump in my bed.

I switched off my phone and curled up in a fetal position.

GERRY WHY?

I hugged my pillow as my heart wept in pain.